Shibari

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What is shibari?

Shibari is a special method of binding that emphasizes not only the fixation of the body, but also the beauty of patterns, lines and the overall visual effect. It usually involves using ropes and creating intricate entanglements on the partner's body.

Although shibari is now often part of sexual practices, it originally fulfilled other roles: helping to relax, concentrate, and deepen the connection between people. It can be both a meditative ritual and a way to build trust by opening up to each other through touch, restriction, and silence.

How it all began: shibari, samurai and the path from captivity to art

Shibari is not just a beautiful game with ropes. This practice has deep historical roots, and it was born not in the bedroom, but on the battlefield. It all started in Japan with a technique called hojojutsu, a martial art used by samurai to bind captured enemies and criminals. The ropes were not applied chaotically: the way a person was bound spoke of his status, his actions, and even his character. The knots and arrangement of the ropes were a kind of language understood by warriors and guards of order.

Over time, as the samurai era faded into the past, the practical side of hojojutsu transformed. Instead of holding captives, ropes began to be used to express feelings, beauty and intimacy. Thus shibari emerged - no longer as a means of control, but as a visual and body art form.

In the 20th century, shibari finally went beyond tradition and became part of erotic culture, as Japanese artists, photographers and performance artists began to actively use it; in their work, bound bodies conveyed both vulnerability and inner strength, submission and control. Since then, shibari has become more than just bondage - it is a way of talking about feelings and relationships without words, through touch, images and the tension of the ropes.

Tying techniques in shibari: from basic forms to complex suspensions

The knots and straps in shibari are divided into levels of complexity, from simple ground practice fixations to multi-stage suspension structures. Each technique carries a specific load - physical, symbolic, sensual.

Takate-kote (gote-shibari): tying hands behind the back

What it is: A classical technique in which the hands are locked behind the back. It is considered one of the most fundamental forms in shibari and is often used as the basis for suspensions.

Why used:

- Creates a sense of submission and vulnerability

- Forms a secure structure to hold the weight of the body

- Gives access to the front of the body and chest

How it's done (unfolded):

1. The arms are placed behind the back, parallel or with a slight overlap of the forearms.
2. First, a firm tie is made around the wrists, not too tight but stable.
3. Then horizontal coils are formed around the chest - just below and above the pectoral muscles, passing under the arms.
4. The rope additionally fixes the shoulder joints and is led back to connect the body part of the harness to the wrists.
5. The design is secured with reliable friction knots and stoppers.

Features:

- Requires anatomical knowledge: it is important not to compress the nerve bundles in the shoulders.

- If poorly executed, it can quickly cause numbness in the arms.

- Used in classical pendants and as a base for decorative compositions.

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Karada: weave-mesh over the body

What it is: A technique that covers the body with a rope pattern resembling a corset or geometric grid. It can be used as a stand-alone harness, or it can be used as the basis for more complex systems.

Why popular:

- Aesthetically looks very striking

- Wraps around the body evenly without overloading one point

- Accentuates the figure and creates visual symmetry

Technical:

1. Starts usually with a knot on the chest or neck (pay attention to safety when securing in the neck area).
2. The rope descends vertically, forming support lines across the torso.
3. Transverse coils are made at regular intervals, intersecting with vertical coils and forming a diamond or grid pattern.
4. Underneath is strapping around the waist, hips, and possibly legs.

Features:

- Can be combined with other knots (e.g., karada + futomomo).

- Requires tension control: if the rope sags, the structure loses its shape.

- Depending on location, can be either decorative or restraining.

Futomomo: binding a bent leg

What it is: A technique for securing one leg in a bent position. Suitable for creating restrictions in movement, securing poses, and also used as a suspension element.

Functions:

- Deprives one leg of mobility

- When performed correctly, it gives stability in suspended poses.

- Used for positional fixation and balancing of the body

Steps:

1. The leg is bent at the knee, heel tucked to the thigh.
2. Several tight coils are made around the thigh and shin to hold them together.
3. The next coils are made diagonally to evenly distribute the load.
4. The final fixation is done with locks or friction knots to eliminate sprawl.

What to pay attention to:

- Avoid putting pressure on the knee joint.

- Check circulation in the foot, especially when holding for long periods of time.

- Add soft padding (such as a towel under the knee) if necessary.

Ebi : “shrimp pose” or fetal fixation

What it is: An ancient technique of fixing the body in a bent position - knees pressed against the chest, back rounded. The name comes from the word “shrimp” because the body is curled into the same shape.

Used for:

- Psychological work, meditation

- Strengthening the sense of internal confinement.

- In role-playing practices as a submission pose.

Technically:

1. Partner/partner sits down, pulls the knees up to the chest.
2. The wrists are locked on the ankles or shins.
3. Coils go around the back, possibly over the shoulders.
4. Options include securing the head or restricting neck movements.

Warning:

- Restricts breathing, especially with deep chest strapping.

- Not recommended for people with back or chest problems.

- Best used when accompanied and for short periods of time.

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Agura-shibari: fixation in lotus pose

What it is: Fixing the body in the classic lotus pose - legs crossed, body straightened. This technique is suitable for aesthetics as well as static practices or meditative scenes.

What gives:

- Allows for a fixed sitting posture

- Often used in psychological or symbolic sessions

- Combines well with upper body harnesses (corset, karada)

Steps:

1. Legs crossed as in a meditation pose.
2. The rope passes through the hips and ankles, securing them in a twisted position.
3. Additional strapping can cover the waist, chest, arms.
4. Sometimes the structure is secured to a fixed object for complete immobilization.

Suspensions : a level for the experienced

What they are: The most difficult and potentially dangerous part of shibari; as it involves suspending a person in the air, which requires precise calculations, knowledge of anatomy, weight distribution skills and safe fixation.

Why do it:

- The aesthetics of flying and hanging

- Deep sensory impact

- A state of total trust between partners

How it happens:

1. First, a basic harness is made - most often takate-kote (for the arms) and karada (for the body).
2. The supporting points of the body (hips, chest, legs) are additionally secured.
3. The ropes are connected to a suspension ring, carabiner or bar.
4. The tension is adjustable and the body is lifted into the air - partially or completely.

Types of suspensions:

- Full - the entire body is off the ground

- Partial - part of the body is on the ground, part of the body is on the support.

- Asymmetrical - weight is distributed unevenly to create dramatic poses

Safety is a priority:

- Knowledge of pressure points (especially shoulders, femoral nerve) is mandatory

- Constant contact with your partner

- Availability of scissors or special tools in case of emergency removal.

How to correctly make knots in shibari

In shibari, not only aesthetics are important, but also technical literacy, since without an understanding of anatomy, tension control, and proper rope selection, practice quickly turns from sensual to dangerous; that's why it all starts with a basic knowledge of the body. 

Before tying on a harness, it's worth understanding where the major nerves and vessels run; wrists, inner thighs, neck, armpits - these are areas with which you need to be especially careful. These are some of the many sensitive areas, and even slight pressure can cause numbness, tingling, or long-term discomfort. For example, when tying the hands behind the back, you should not overtighten the inside of the wrists - it is in this area that the main nerves pass, and excessive tension can lead to a temporary loss of sensation.

Special attention should be paid to the way you work with the rope itself. Shibari does not allow sudden movements and jerking - the rope should lie down gently, without jerks, with a clear control of tension. Smooth and even tightening not only looks neater, but is also much more comfortable for the person you are tying; as it reduces the risk of pain points and allows you to evenly distribute the load on the body. The most skillful strapping method will start applying more pressure through time, especially when a person maintains a constant position for extended periods. Therefore, it is better to fix each coil with a slight tension, as if putting the rope into the body, and then, if necessary, gently tighten, adjusting the pressure manually. This approach provides a balance between secure fixation and comfort.

Remember that your body transforms between the start and conclusion of the practice period; so keep in mind that blood circulation patterns modify while muscle tension grows stronger and skin increases its sensitivity throughout this process. Additionally, the monitoring of knots' condition should happen on a regular basis because it stands as a critical safety measure. Remember that numbness together with tension, signals that you require loosening or repositioning of tension across the body; the skin will turn pale and the limbs will become cold or experience tingling sensations during this time. Inform your partner about the warning signs he will demonstrate when uncomfortable so you can correspond swiftly. 

What to weave pleasure from: materials and feelings of rope in shibari

Rope in shibari is not just a means of fixation. It is like an artist's tool or a musical instrument: everything depends on its quality, texture and behavior on the skin - safety, aesthetics, and the sensations a person will experience in the harness.

If we talk about the classics, jute is literally “Japanese school”, and it is from it that ropes for shibari are traditionally woven. Jute is quite coarse, with a noticeable texture and characteristic aroma of natural fiber; it grips quickly, holds its shape perfectly and gives a clear tactile response. When pulled, it emits a recognizable crunch or rustle that adds atmosphere and an almost ritualistic sensuality. But it also has a character - it can be stiff, especially on delicate skin, and requires special preparation: it is boiled, dried, treated with oil, otherwise it will be too dry and prickly.

Hemp is a slightly softer and compromise option. It too is natural, with similar mechanical properties to jute, but is more gentle on the body; so it's a great choice if you want the same visual aesthetic, but with less risk of skin irritation. Hemp is flexible, strong, holds knots securely and doesn't stretch - which means the harness won't “ride” over time. At the same time, the feeling on the body is noticeably softer, especially if the rope is well processed.

When it comes to options for beginners, cotton is almost always the first step; as it is soft, smooth, does not scratch and almost does not traumatize the skin. Such ropes are suitable for the first practices, when comfort is more important than technical perfection. The disadvantage is that cotton ropes hold their shape worse, stretch and are not suitable for hanging. In this sense, they need to be constantly monitored - especially when tightly secured, so that the knots do not “blur”.

Bamboo fiber - a rarity, but it is also found. It feels like something between cotton and hemp: light, silky, pleasant to the skin, but does not give the necessary stiffness for serious work with the body. It is more like a decorative material or an option for sensual, body-oriented practices.

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